Thursday, December 8, 2011

a new record, out of a period before I even post a picture! well true enough but there are extenuating circumstances. I haven't really had a ton of time to paint with working about 50 hours a week and a minor rant.

For a while I was very interested in getting what ever figures caught my fancy, that is gradually changing thanks to the economies and the post offices of the world. Mostly I have been buying figures from the UK and will continue to do so from time to time. I was prepping an order for Austro Prussian figures and I realized I hit my personal limit for postage. I simply do not want to pay 20%. If you do not mind more power to you but I have reached my limit. I know there is an impact on the small business and I appreciate that. but the bottom line is the same, I do not want to pay $40 for a $200 purchase for postage from England.

So for now I will concentrate on UK lines I can order from American Retailers or American lines of figures. since I can't get this line it is going on the back burner for now. I have another Austro prussian war I am currently reading about. more on this later.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Well, alot has happened since my last post, I finished my degree at 44! moved across country with my wife and cat. (San Diego to Western New York) and started a new job as a Registered Nurse. oh and moved into our 130 year old house. So time to restart the blog.

First if anyone reads this is in the southern tier region of Western New York. let me know. I am looking for some wargaming friends. Good news is I have a painting room, also I have enough room to set up as big a battle as I can imagine, and I can imagine quite a bit.

Painting wise I have been all over the place as I usually am . But I have settled on finishing my Austro Prussian war figures for 1866. I had bought a bunch of these 2 years ago and no sooner did I have them then I heard the range was getting sold. but North Star Miniatures have bought the line and even started to expand it so I am back in.

The Austro-Prussian war has a lot for potential wargamers. While the Austrians got beat pretty handily it seems more as a consequence of vary poor leadership than any thing else. The Artillery was outstanding and while the Austrian tactics were a little dated a combined arms approach could definitely make up for it. At least that is my theory. Second The uniforms are pretty interesting. I have always a soft spot for funky mid 19Th century look and this conflict has it in spades. Prussians in picklehaubes and Austriansin in grey overcoats and light blue pants. cool.

Rules wise, I am going with black powder. It has pretty good flexibility which is somewhat necessary in a rules governing this period as each side utilized different tactics. The Prussians will be mounted 6 to a stand for 3 companies and 3 to a stand for 1 company. That will give me 1 company mounted for skirmishing ahead of the rest of the battalion which will be either in line or colum. The Austrians will be mounted 4 figures in 6 companies. I like the look of mounting the figures in company formations and making a reasonable go at correct battalion and brigade tactics. well that's it if anyone is still reading the blog pictures will be posted shortly.